Hello, this is Mary. Welcome to my podcast “The opinion of Mary.” Today is September 3rd and I’m pleased to meet you after the long summer break. I hope you’ve had a chance to take advantage of the summer, and you’re well rested. Today I want to stay a little longer in the holiday mood and talk suitcases, my stay in Reunion and I returned a little wet. [1] Are you ready ? Let’s go!

As I told you before our big break, this year I had plans to go to the Reunion. Remember, Reunion is an island in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar. Well, I went. Going on holiday demands one to prepare their bags and for the girl that I am, this is always a headache. [2] There is always a very important issue that arises. “But what do I put in my suitcase?” Given that it is impossible to take one’s bureau, choices must be made. I really like to preview [3] an outfit to go out in, that is to say one taken by a little girl, a pretty dress with nice shoes. Yes, you never know when the opportunity comes to be invited into a beautiful restaurant.

I will not go in a beach dress! Then you have T-shirts, shorts, pants, and sometimes there is another puzzle, that of the assortment of [4] colors, that is to say, to match the right shirt color that goes with the pants or skirt one takes. We must also think about the activities we will do; if we want to take a walk, we must take other shoes than just his flip-flops. [5] Finally, we must also think about the climate of the region to our destination. No need to be coquettish [6] and if well dressed for the cold because we forgot where we’re going, it’s winter. In short, prepare a suitcase often requires efforts [7] and an analytical mind. And as I have a lot of trouble deciding, packing my suitcase can take days and days.

This year I have not had this kind of problems. First, I did not have time to think too much, I had to prepare my bag very quickly. Indeed, I finished my work on Friday evening and the next day I was already sitting in the train to Paris where I was going to fly. Then I had the funny idea to take my paraglider [8], because I had read that on the island there were wonderful places to fly. No doubt you’ve seen the size of a paragliding bag. It is quite bulky, ie that take up much space and it still weighs a dozen kilos. Since I had allowed only 25 kilos of luggage, the bag was quickly made. I put my hiking shoes [9], my toilet kit [10] and now that hardly left me four kilos of clothes to put in! With my bathing suit, beach towel, shorts, sweater, jacket I had largely exceeded [11] 25 kilos! It’s not only the constraint [12] of airport taxes which posed a problem for me but this bag, I had to also wear it! So I took a large purse and I put some clothes [13] and regret [14] that I had to leave my cocktail dress and my heels. [15]

It is with 25 kilos on his back, and a large bag that I get to Paris. Have you ever taken the Paris subway on a Saturday afternoon? There are people everywhere! So imagine me with that big paraglider backpack, in the Paris metro. It was just the horror! After the subway, I took the RER [16] and arrived at the airport, I was finally relieved [17] to put my bag in the record. [18]

The start is one thing, but we do think not enough to return. [19] For the return, it is generally more responsible [20] as on the way. We bought souvenirs, a dress and shoes as it was invited to the restaurant, gifts for family and friends. Luckily I had bought a cart, as it makes beautiful in Reunion and so it is with three bags that I had to go. But this time my paraglider bag was heavier than on the way. So I had to reorganize my suitcase to the check-in desk; get my panties [21], my dirty clothes [22] to take in the cabin with me, and I still had to pay 50 euros for the over weight! The funny thing about this story is that I have walked my paraglider and I have flown once!

The meeting is really pretty. This is the France of course, ie that there is the same regulations, the same currency in neighboring France and French spoken there. Reunion is a very green island with rich and abundant vegetation. In Reunion do not expect you to spend your days on the beach. There has some very pretty on the west side of the island where you can swim in the lagoon, but also you will not see anyone. The sea is very dangerous, the currents [23] are strong. In addition, the bottom is very deep result, only a meter from the beach it is already at 10 meters deep and there is also plenty of sharks. [24] Reunion is a sportier destination. At the meeting we walk, we discover a beautiful nature. It is what I did. During the first days I did some sightseeing, and then I could actually do little because before leaving I hurt my back and 25 kilos on his back probably did not make me good. In short, after three days, unable to move. I go to an osteopath, a specialist who puts the body in place and that was it. Then I went hiking four days alone. At night I slept in the cottages, but for two days I have not met anyone. There was the nature and me. I am of course went to the top of the Piton of snows, the highest point on the island at 3070 meters, to see the sun rise. After the ride, I wanted to go flying. I rented a car to go to the sites. That was great, listening to music, open window, the Indian Ocean in front of you … I loved it!

By cons, for paragliding it was not so great because the wind was not good and according to the weather forecast, it was not going to be several days. The problem is that my vacation ended soon. I still, through encounters with other paragliders could be in the air [25], but not for long because the wind has Forci [26] and I had to land [27] very quickly the fields of sugar cane [28]. The landing was a little more violent than expected because the following day I had again back pain. The wind calmed him it was! As I could not really work, I completed my stay through my days on the beach. I wanted to make up the sun, vitamins and then I had to sunbathe, otherwise nobody would believe I was on vacation.

This is tanned, rested but blocked as I got back from vacation. I think I lost my brother and my tan complexion in less than 2 minutes by entering my home, because I discovered a water leak: I had water that flowed from the first floor to the basement and the cellar had become a real pool. So I had to turn off the water to the house, I have been deprived [29] water for 4 days, the time that the company moves, find the problem and fix it all! Fortunately I had water in my kitchen which is meanwhile also become my bathroom, and it is with a watering can [30] I went to the little corner. [31] To say that one of 2025 on the ground, two men will miss 3 of water, me I did that too in my house. And this makes the water damage [32] and it takes time for the moisture to go. And yet I do not have to complain, you saw the floods in Pakistan? They affected 20 million people and about one fifth of Pakistan’s territory. Imagine, this represents almost 4 times the size of Switzerland. At least six million people were left homeless after the disaster. This will find its less serious non-issues?

[1] wet: dry wet otherwise
[2] the puzzle: the problem for which it is difficult to find the solution
[3] provide: see in advance, arrange in advance
[4] assortment: here: mix
[5] the tong: small summer shoe also called string feet
[6] coquette: elegant, well-dressed
[7] stress: when it’s not easy, you have to concentrate, be strong …
[8] paragliding: sailing to fly
[9] hiking: walking
[10] the kit of toilets: the small bag where you put her toothbrush, her soap, her beauty products …
[11] exceed : here have more of the authorized weight
[12] stress: what to do, what we must respect
[13] dress: clothing
[14] regret: shame!
[15] the heeled shoe: the opposite of flat shoe
[16] RER: the trains that leave from Paris to the outside of the city
[17] be relieved: OUF
[18] recording: when you take the plane, we go to the registration desk to save his bags and present his ticket
[19] return: go opposite of
[20] to be loaded: have lots of things to wear
[21] Early pants: the underwear
[22] dirty laundry: the clothes we wore and you must wash
[23] the power: the power of water that takes you out to sea, ie away land
[24] Shark: dangerous poison that can attack men
[25] to be in the air: leave the land
[26] forcir: become stronger
[27] land: landing back on the floor
[28] sugar cane: the plant with which it is sugar
[29] be deprived of: miss, not having enough
[30] l (e) watering: object into which we put water to give water flower
[31] the little corner: the toilet
[32] the damage: all things broken, destroyed

Hello, this is Mary. Welcome to my podcast “The opinion of Mary.” July 16 Today is our last podcast before the holiday. And so I tell you, guess what? Trips. I will say a few words about my World tour, two more words about my holiday plans. But first listen about my adventure with the SBB. Are you ready?

A word as promised on the room of my adventures of the door in the Swiss train. You remember, after receiving a door in the head, after spending a week in the hospital, and after having two weeks off work, I have therefore written to the company of Swiss Railways tp tell them of my misadventure. [1] Yes of course, I received an answer, okay they apologized but … really, I had the image of a Swiss services that was more helpful [2] and understanding [3]. Not really, it’s not for fun or for cause, but for me Switzerland is still one of the few countries where there is what is called a close service [4], the relationship between people appear less administrative [5] and more human. While it’s true that sincerely, perhaps naively, I expected I do not know, a chocolate bar, yes, this is what I ‘m imagining receive a chocolate bar or a ticket to go to the Jungfrau or anything else to console me for the accident. Well no, I have received nothing but some excuses.

So I tell this one day to one of my classes and this adventure was told to me in turn by one of my students: She also took the train, and as it often is, itt was packed, there were so many more people than there was seating: Well so far nothing abnormal. She often traveled standing [6]. This train had been away for a few days delay, then this student phoned for passengers to complain [7] of this. Knowing the character, she phoned probably not a very nice way, patient, oh no, she is rather kind to not have her tongue in her pocket, that is, she is not afraid to say what she thinks. One could even say that she is shameless [8] and perhaps even quite provocative. After a few phone calls, she had received a ticket to travel one month in first class for free.

When I still had my restaurant and an error happened, I offered coffee or dessert. I think this is part of common sense gestures in human relations. So, getting back to the SBB, it’s true what, I was still unable to go to work for three weeks and SBB is still big business. If I were American, that’s for sure, I would have attacked the SBB to justice, but I was expecting simply a chocolate bar. Morality? Effrontery pay.

The exams are finished, the sun shining, the BBQ, ie barbecues are organized picnics attended on a Sunday afternoon. You feel this light atmosphere like the wind? You no longer want to work too? This is normal, it feels the holidays. Besides, what are you going to make your vacation? You go ? I do, This year I offer a trip! Oh this is the first since my sabbatical year. [9] Indeed, in 2005 I left for a year, alone with my backpack. I started with Canada where I took English classes. I spent a month in Vancouver, beautiful city before making the Rockies, the Canadian mountains. Then from there, I went to Costa Rica, but I did not stay long because I found the traces [10] of a friend who lived in Colombia.

So I went to visit him and stayed three weeks. Then I went to Peru, I walked to Machu Picchu. From Peru I went by bus to Bolivia, Bolivia and Brazil, always by bus. In Brazil, I lived with a family in poor neighborhoods because I fell in love, and then after three months, I remembered that I had a trip to complete. I am distributed over the road in the direction of Argentina. Argentina ah! I stayed there five months I think I went flying to the North, I went to the horse in the West, I worked in a shelter in the mountains, I went walking in the great southern plains. Argentina is the country that really has me most excited and most affected. This is the country where I could have my life, but once again I left on the roads. I went to the statutes of Easter Island, I made the diving in Polynesia and skiing in New Zealand. Of course I went to Australia, I drank glasses with the Aborigines, I do make dresses in Vietnam and went up on an elephant in Thailand.

This is all in one year. I returned in 2006 with head full of images, incredible memories and I’m really felt citizens of the world. I believe that this trip has fed [11] My soul [12] for months. Since I am no longer part, firstly because I had no money and then because I did not want to: What I then experienced was so extraordinary that I was afraid of being disappointed or whatever. Yes this trip was really a blessing [13], I truly felt like a princess, I have only nice encounters and people were incredibly kind.

This year I’m leaving, I going to France, but not in France, one located on the European continent, no, to go where I go, I need to fly, cross seas and continents: Yes I go to France to Overseas on an island somewhere in the Indian Ocean, 700 kilometers from Madagascar, 170 kilometers from Mauritius. Yes I go to Reunion. My departure is scheduled on July 18. Why choose this destination? The chance [14] Finally the dating life. A friend of my cousin came to France this spring, he came to eat at my restaurant carp and he asked me to visit him in Reunion. I do not know if the invitation was thoughtful, but I like this invitation must not tell me twice. A few weeks of rain later on a whim [15] I bought my ticket. Well, we’ll see how it will happen, I go first of all to rest, but it appears that over there, it’s beautiful. It is of course there to snorkel, [16] and it is said that the island of Reunion is at paragliding [17] that Hawaii is surfing, many are stolen there. I therefore intend to take my veil. Well I do not think of my bag, knowing me I will prepare a few hours before the start!

There are also many hiking, walks to the interior of the island. One can even go up to 3071 meters. Besides on the island there is the Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. It seems also that [18] the island is located on the route of cyclones, but we also say that c ‘is wonderful ! Then promised I will tell you this when I return. If I come back!

That’s all for now, I leave you because I have a letter to write to the SBB but I mostly prepare a bag. I invite you to leave me your feedback on http://www.podclub.ch and above all I hope to see you on September 3. It’s from my heart I wish you a great holiday, you leave or not. Enjoy it, have fun, rest and especially take care of yourself. Happy Holidays to all ! See you soon.

[1] the mishap: unpleasant event
[2] helpful: making service that is ready to help
[3] Comprehensive: includes other sympathetically
[4] close: that is close to people
[5] Administration: Administration: services of State; here understand that relations between the state and people are less complicated
[6] standing: the opposite of lying
[7] complain: express dissatisfaction
[8] cheeky: that is a great insolence, which causes, which is rude, which did not respect
[9] sabbatical: Holiday Year
[10] traces: here: I heard from my friend
[11] feed: feeding
[12] soul: opposite the body, the physical, the soul is the spiritual aspect (the religion) of man;the soul is also the sensitivity and thought
[13] blessing: here is a great chance
[14] chance: here: the probability, fate, fate, destiny
[15] “on a whim “: do something without thinking
[16] snorkeling: go underwater with a mask and oxygen bottle
[17] paragliding: fly with a wing fabric
[18] it seems that: they say that it is said that

Hello, this is Mary. Welcome to my podcast “The opinion of Mary.” Today July 2nd, I have many things to tell you, because the week was full of news. I will change my plans and you can guess, I’ll talk to you about football. This was expected, but then given the information, I have to talk about the disaster arrived in the South and to be lighter I will say two words on my daily fight [1] slugs. Are you ready?

“Goodbye to the Blod” as the newspaper, The Scottish Sun says “the French Revolution” and The Times is content: “Les Bleus, go home”. Here we can read the headlines in the International press about the France team. In France it is not better, the Blues have disappointed [2]. They showed the image of a team that had no envy, no play, in short a France team that would not give the show and have played like starlets. The players of the France team who make it possible to strike [3]! No but I dream! This is ridiculous! I’m not telling you the image in the International arena! So I will summarize this incredible situation that made ​​the entire world laugh:

I think today everyone knows how to say a bad word [4] since the entire French press has repeated it, Anelka, the player, reportedly told Domenech at Halftime France when they met Mexico. Well, I do not think it’s unusual to hear bad words on a football field, how this is true, they are footballers and not men of letters. I do not even understand why we made a whole cheese, that is why we made a fuss. Of course this does not happen to speak in this tone to his coach, where is the respect? But then where is the respect in our society? No, the problem is that the press has witnessed [5] all this and spoke about it in the newspapers. That’s why I think these words before disrespectful [6] Domenech, the coach, could not help but return its author. It is a matter of principle.

Then it is not finished, the next day the players come to the training ground, but refuse to practice! It is their way of protesting against the dismissal of their buddy. A few days of a super important game, here they are a whim. They probably think they are too good! After that how you want we French have a serious reputation? Even our footballers go on strike! They would have done better to show both solidarity [7] on the ground and playing together. Then, and always before the cameras, the tone rises between physical trainer and the captain of the team. Then it is the Managing Director of the Federation [8] who resigns. There, the French football is Dallas, Dynasty [9] Big Brother at the same time.

I told you I had a small square of land or I try to grow salads? This is my small vegetable garden. Oh it is not very big, I put radish, salad and flowers. Is that it is work; remove weeds, watering, then right now it’s not really useful and watch my small plantations and ensure [11] that they are not eaten by other than me. Yes, it often happened to me to go in the garden and get me a salad or strawberries and then nothing, nada, everything had been eaten by snails. Ben would like the other day. My uncle, who has a green thumb, gave me some flower plants. Got home I plant them on the side of the house. The next day, ie barely 12 hours later, I’m going to water because this side of the house, despite the rain, the soil is very dry. Ny He was nothing if not a few stems and few leaves it nibbled [12] there. Slugs, these horrible creatures [13] red with the family of snails ate it. Ah, she is feasted, they adored my flowers. Ah no, when these are not people who cut me my flowers he has to be slugs that eat me. And there I am ashamed but I avenged. I usually do not like that, but I picked the slug product and I put everywhere. It’s horrible as they writhe [14] pain. My mother made worse [15], it puts coarse salt on slugs. It is horrible too. I know that some put a glass of beer in the ground to attract them. Drown in beer or dried [16] by salt, I do not know what is softer. Ah I told you life is a struggle and weapons are cruel!

The time this June was still impressive right? A real-time November, fog, rain and in places near me even snow. Ah, that’s clear, my geraniums are head and I’m not ready to eat salad from my garden. But here we are in luck. You saw in the South of France for example? A real deluge [17]! Within hours, he fell the equivalent of several months of rain. I saw some impressive images on television. Houses with even the roof had disappeared under water, entrained by the current cars, holes in the ground. To let you imagine the force of the water, there was a picture where we saw a service station that is where we will get gas, being carried away by the water. Incredible. All this time resembled the movie, for those who saw, 2012. This is chilling. There disaster and there after the disaster. Can you imagine? We can not imagine the consequences. Dead animals such need now collect 3,000 sheep and 100 horses were swept away by the torrent. For the victims, ie the victims, ordinary citizens but also traders, artisans, farmers or industrialists must tidy, clean. Today the military help the population to remove wrecks [18] cars, fridges, furniture that can no longer be used, it must also monitor the destroyed shops for they are not subject to theft .

Of course it is terrible to have lost everything, but we are in France and there is insurance. These people will receive help to rebuild everything, otherwise it is not always the case. I think of those unfortunate in Brazil and then to those who like to Kyrgyzstan at the moment have lost everything because of conflicts and wars. There is an image that struck me, that of a little old lady herself crying in front of his house destroyed. What will become of her this winter? Nobody cares. Oh, I tell you, fortunately there is football to make us forget the misfortune of one. This is what is cruel in life!

Here, I’ll go watch my garden, my little square of land, away from the misery of this world and away from the media provocations. We meet in two weeks before the big break this summer, and this time I will talk about holidays. Let me while waiting for your feedback on http://www.podclub.ch and be happy. See you soon!

[1] the fight: the war, the fight
[2] disappointed: the disappointment, we expected something and it did not happen
[3] strike: the manifestation of dissatisfaction
[4] the dirty word: the word that is not pretty, insulting
[5] witness: see, hear something
[6] disrespectful: that does not respect
[7] solidarity: here play together, be united
[8] the French Federation of Football
[9] Dallas and Dynasty: the name American television series
[10] put someone on the corner: when school is not nice, mistress to punish us puts us in the corner, ie in the corner of the wall, his back to class
[11] ensure: be careful
[12] snack: eat
[13] the beast: the animal
[14] twist: fold here: writhing, when you have a lot, we do still not right, it is wrong
[15] worse: even more horrible
[16] dry up becoming dry
[17] the flood: when it rains a lot, we talk deluge, referring to the Flood in the Bible with Noah
[18] wreck: here the rest of the car

Hello, this is Mary. Welcome to my podcast “The opinion of Mary.” It is June 18th and 70 years ago, that is to say in 1940, General de Gaulle, a great French personality, made ​​a speech on the BBC radio to call the French to fight against Nazi Germany. This speech is seen as the symbol of the French resistance [1]. I, today, I call you to fight against commercial calls. Then I will talk of the Cannes festival, glorious for the French, and football, much less glorious!

Imagine that you return home after a long day of work, that is, after a long work day. It is 8:30 p.m., you have only one desire: to take off your shoes, put a good music, you prepare a meal, drink a little tea, when suddenly the phone rings. At this hour, it can only be your mother or a friend. You pick up and there you hear a voice, who first badly pronounces [2] your last name and before you have time to react, starts to hold a 3-minute speech, during that speeche you are with your handset [3] in hand without being able to get off a single word. Now you’re connected to one of many call centers, these organizations who call you or for a survey [4], or to sell you something.

Me, the other day it was a charitable organization that called me. The person seeking money for children in poor countries. The action is undoubtedly noble, that is to say that motivation is usually generous, good because it is there to help the unfortunate. The problem is that it is 8:30 p.m., I’m tired, I have my meals on the fire and I did not want to feel responsible for the misery in the World. I remained polite to the person, but oddly, after hanging up [5], I felt guilty [6] and I was not hungry.

The problem is that calls from these call centers, there are many and not all have a humanitarian goal, but all want money. During the two weeks I was at home because of my sick leave [7], I discovered the horror of that telephone harassment [8]. On your phone to sell you of the Italian olive oil for the stunning price of 100 euros, you can enjoy the fashion ecology to sell you ecological heating systems … The problem is that their speech is said very quickly, you believe that they are calling on behalf of the State [9], and that they are official calls, but no, they are private companies that want to sell, for you to consume. Ah, they are very clever [10], they know how long to keep you on the phone and then you do not get to hang up. After two days, after receiving several calls like this, I just hang up [11] my phone.

There are many solutions to hanging up in their faces, that is to simply cut the conversation in the middle of a sentence, but I do not like doing this, because frankly I would not have to do this job. This should be really ungrateful, ie there is no satisfaction, no recognition, thank you.

Of course if I get that kind of appeal and that the person is aggressive, I don’t have any bad conscience [12] to say straight out that I’m not interested. Maybe next time I could imitate my answering machine and say “Hello you are on the answering machine of Mary, I’m not at home, thank you not to call me.” My father himself answers them in dialect, Alsatian, for sure, they do not insist. And you, how are you? If you have good ideas, thank you to leave me a message to let them know me, because at the moment when the phone rings, I do not have the courage to answer.

I wanted to say a few words on the 63rd Cannes Film Festival, the most prestigious and media [13] film event in the world. Cannes is the glamor with rhinestones and sequins, [14] the breasts of Sophie Marceau [15], the ultra Bright Smile Sharon Stone [16], diamond rivers, starlets [17] and Red carpet. Cannes is also 10 days of competition in which a jury will reward the directors, actors and who will choose the best of the seventh art. [18]

In previous years the Golden Palm, ie the given name at this price, was given to films like “The Piano Lesson”, Jane Campion, “Pulp Fiction” by Quentin Tarantino, “The Pianist” by Roman Polanski, the movies no doubt you have seen as they have done many entries in the cinemas. This year the jury of the Festival was to president Tim Burton [19], a filmmaker who loves the strange [20]. That may be why this year, the Golden Palm was given a bizarre film, hypnotic, supernatural. [21] This is the film ‘Boonmee’, the Thai, which I will try to give the name without wrong, Apichatpong Weerasethakul. This is a movie probably very inventive, magic for an audience of moviegoers, ie cinema lovers, intellectuals tastes sharp [22], but it’s also a film without a doubt razor slow, ie boring, long, slow, too intellectual for others, that is, for us, the public.

Why did the jury chose such a film? Have they thought about the bloody crisis in Thailand? Have they said that the Palm would be more useful to a Weerasethakul who came to Cannes without producer, ie without money, only a Western filmmaker who will have no problem getting in.

There are other films that have won awards, ie who received a prix.Il is “Of Men and Gods” by Xavier Beauvois, which tells the true story of seven French monks murdered [23] and beheaded [24] in Algeria in 1996. There is “A Screaming Man” by Mahamat Saleh Haroun, the first African film in competition at Cannes for 10 years. This year it is on, the Festival has probably wanted to give an educator film role, a window on the world.

Yes I wanted to talk about the Cannes festival to launch one last time a French victory Cocorico, one last small pride event for French cinema rewarded several times: the award for interpretation of the French actress Juliette Binoche, the Grand Prix for the film which I mentioned above, “Of Men and Gods” and Price staging. Yes I wanted to show you that French cinema is our gift unlike our football and I just wanted a little advantage of these victories before entering a period of losses [25], silence and sadness. Because yes from June 11 begins the World Cup soccer and with it the lynching of my country. What is lynching? This is the public shame and defeat! What I exaggerate?

No, but you saw the friendly against China? It was so bad, lousy. But finally you agreements, China is not known for its footballesques talents. France, she, she’s Blues, the Blues have won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Cup in 2000. I would have understood that China beat us in martial arts, but not in football! Oh no, if the Blues play well during the competition, they can already prepare their bags to return to France. Even on Facebook, it mocks [26] of them already. There is a group called “France will go far, it is true that South Africa, it’s not next door!”. Let me explain, the phrase “go away” has a double meaning; one can go far in the distance and we can go far in success. And of course when we say “it’s not next door”, we mean that this is far in terms of kilometers. You see the humor?

And right now there is a real controversy. Some politicians criticize the fact that the France team fits in very luxurious hotel. The Chinese, they are probably in a camping because it is well known, comfort decreases [27] the fighting. [28] Besides stomachs [29] voids are much more dangerous! Accustomed to luxury, our little French are probably less voluntary, less combative. The future will tell!

That’s all for today. Do not forget to leave me your tips [30] to have no more phone calls center calls on http://www.podclub.ch. We are in two weeks, we still talk about World, BBQ and daring. Until then, take care of yourself, enjoy the sun. See you soon.

[1] Resistance: the fight
[2] say: say
[3] the handset: the part of the phone where we talk
[4] the survey: Questionnaire
[5] hang up: replace the handset
[6] feel guilty: say: “this is my fault
[7] sick: it is a paper given by the doctor because we can not go to work
[8] harassment the verb harass, stress, disturb,” attack “all the time
[9] state: the government
[10] clever: clever, intelligent
[11] win: remove the telephone
[12] have a bad conscience: here: shame, a sense of guilt
[13] media: where press is very pressing
[14] rhinestones and glitter: all that glitters
[15] breasts of Sophie Marceau: here to talk about the beauty of the stars and Sophie Marceau is famous for the beauty of her breasts, her chest
[16] ultra Bright Smile Sharon Stone: always the beauty of the stars and very white teeth Sharon Stone
[17] starlet: young actress who dreams of a career star
[18] the seventh art: cinema
[19] Tim Burton: the director of “The Nightmare Before Christmas Mr Jack” of “Edward Scissorhands” and “Alice”
[20] strange: the individual, whatever n is not normal
[21] supernatural: the strange phenomena, which are not normal
[22] pointed: here is very specialized
[23] murdered: killed
[24] beheaded: cut off the head
[25] defeat: when we lose, the opposite of victory
[26] mocking: laugh
[27] decrease: down
[28] combativeness: rabies, the desire to fight, to fight, to win
[29] stomach: the stomach
[30] the trick, the trick: advice

Hello, this is Mary. Welcome to my podcast “The opinion of Mary.” Today June 2, it is somehow a special edition, a rather special podcast. What for ? For it is the hospital that I write, then if I want to be honest, it is true that this is where I started to write and it is at home that I finish. I’m sick and thus in recovery [1]. Today I ask you to be particularly nice. I will tell you first of all Scoumoune, that is to say, bad luck, and then you will see that humanity [2] is divided into two, there are those that prefer to forget and then there those you never forget.

Obviously if we were born in Darfur or between two attacks in Lebanon, our notion of luck and bad luck would be quite another. Everything is relative, but anyway there are days, you will agree with me, where everything goes wrong. Sometimes these days are prolonged [3] for several days or even a period. Moreover, when these little misfortunes arrive, they said, “never two without three”, that is to say that we should expect to see, then two disasters and a host [4] the third philosophically. Then normally according to this law [5] of the series, you are quiet for some time, because after the rain comes the good weather. During those days when everything goes wrong, where accidents are succeeding, we say we have bad luck, the Scoumoune, ie we are in a period where luck has abandoned us.

Recently, it is what happened to me, incidents succeeded, I thought I had finished another series began. One morning I miss the train and then photocopy paper and forget, these are incomplete documents that I distributed, I am entitled to the reflections of some students, normal, then another, later blames me, it’s unfair, I did not do anything, it’s just he who is stressed. Sometimes some days there are strange things in the air, as the remains of the Icelandic volcano, on those days when everything goes wrong, I have only one desire: to go home quietly. But when Scoumoune is in the air, so do not even think about it! You will understand why.

As usual after work, I took the train, as usual it was packed, that is to say packed, not a single seat. In short, I stayed in the corridor. A Lyss, many travelers off the train. Other place only go back, I wanted to find me a seat. I was in one of these trains to floor [6], usually I always sit up at first, but that day I sat down. There are at ground floor [7] a separate compartment with a glass door that opens and closes automatically through sensors. Me that day I had to be transparent, [8] because the sensors have not picked up and bam! When I passed the door closed on me and I took the door in the head. Too much is too much, I do not remember if I cried then because I was wrong, because I was tired or because I was afraid. I put my hand on my head and I was bleeding [9], I wanted to go to the bathroom, and of course they were closed!

And not a single controller between Bern and Biel. Arrival in Bienne, I still looked for a controller to report the accident to him and ask him to fix that door, I have a hard head, but imagine that it is a child or an elderly person who takes it . He hands me a card by reassuring me that I did not have much because if I had an injury I would not be able to speak !! Sure, I had a headache, but I was not worried me more than that, it bumps [10] the toe was sore toe, head you bump it has a headache, but the problem is that three days later, malaise decision, I wanted to have a medical opinion, so I went to hospital and they kept me. A contusion [11] brain, it is monitored. [12] Ah well, if any of you working at SBB, tell them I appreciate they respond to my mail. Stay tuned, so I do not know if there is bad luck, but in any case, I think I deserve where the sun shines again

What shocked me when I took the door in the head; it is the total indifference of the people. Do you think someone came to ask me how I was? Not one, but not one person has expressed concern [13] and I was bleeding from his eyebrow, that is to say above the eye. A lady of about fifty years, a lady who probably wants to be told that it is a respectable lady, sat in front of me, do you think she asked me how j ‘would, if I need something ?? Nothing, nada, she even avoided meeting my eyes! It’s amazing all the same, this ignorance, this individualism. An older friend had once told me that her daughter had felt unwell at the station, she fell in the middle of the dock, no one has gone to her, all imagined that it was a drug addict .. . and it is well known, is not it, touch a junkie and you will become addicted! No, I assure you, it’s stupidity that seems to be contagious [14]! So this young girl lying on the floor of the station was saved by a black. [15] I tell you this because when I hear those people who want respectable tell me that youth has more value and there are too many foreigners, I think that if people put their energy to fight against stupidity, we would all be better

Fortunately, there are in the life of beautiful meetings. There were first for me, during this hospital stay, one of the women of Hispanic household, with whom I have the opportunity to practice my Spanish. And then there was my roommate, her name like me, she is 82 years old and ran a restaurant. What similarities points, but she was married and widowed three times! Well, she has squarely ahead of me. It is a small granny, all lively, charming all with whom I really had a good time. It’s never fun being in the hospital and the weather is often very long, but it was a real pleasure. When I was better, we ate together on the table in the room and when the girls rooms [16] came to take away our lunch trays, it was recommended coffee, sometimes I had the impression of being in a living room Tea at the hospital.

It’s a naughty, because each time the doctor or nurse spent, she had a small comment “He has nice hair it,” or, “He, he has beautiful eyes.” I remember, she absolutely wanted to watch the start of the Mister Switzerland election and the next day when his daughter came to visit him, his first question was whether their preferred candidate had won the election. You have to believe it, despite his great age, taste, because it was him the winner! She often visited her daughter and two grandchildren and I do not know why, maybe because I shared with them the chocolate I received, they brought me one day each a small homemade gift : a small heart and a wooden camera! I was really moved. My new girlfriend left the hospital a day before me, but the next morning she phoned me to take from me and I promised him to go see her as soon as I get better. There are meetings that really give back a smile.

I leave you, I feel like I get tired already, neurologists tell me that my fatigue is quite normal and I need to rest, do not overdo it . Anyway I feel that I have not all my means. I’ll see you in two weeks and I hope that by then I would find my head. Then I would have taken the time to read newspapers and to be attentive to the world. Meanwhile, let me your messages on http://www.podclub.ch and until then, take care of you, watch where you step, and go to another. See you soon

[1] convalescence: period after illness and during which the forces taken up
[2] humanity: here: kindness, compassion, sensitivity
[3] extend: last
[4] welcome: receive
[5] the law: the rule
[6] floor: example: I ‘ lives on the 1st floor, Paul above me, ie the 2nd floor
[7] on the ground floor: it is between the basement and the first floor
[8] transparent: we do not see not
[9] bleed: bleed
[10] bump: encounter, receive or take a hit, shock
[11] bruise: it’s not broken, but it’s a shock, such as trauma
[12] to monitor: observe, pay attention to
[13] worry: worry
[14] contagious: you catch easily
[15] the black: black man race, a term which in France is quite politically correct
[16] room of the girl: a woman who works in a hospital, bringing meals, made ​​the beds

Hello everyone and welcome to my podcast “The opinion of Mary.” Today May 21, we will talk mainly about nature. First, you will see how I can lose my temper, that is how I can get very angry at certain disrespectful behavior [1]. Then I will present the Green Brigade, our nature police, then we will remove our shoes to walk barefoot in the grass or elsewhere.

The other day I was a bit sick, not very fit and therefore quite on edge. You know that expression? That is, I was hyper-sensitive. I give you these details because they are important for the rest of the story. I went to the drugstore to buy a product that would cure my cold [2] and on the road leading to the village, I looked by chance on the side, and what do I see? Plastic bags just thrown to the roadside in the forest: not one, not two, but four plastic bags. Probably someone who came to buy a commodity in Switzerland and for fear of crossing the customs [3] launched the packaging [4], simply like that, in the forest. You, I do not know, but for me, when I see that, I see red. That’s another expression to say it irritates me, it disgusts me. If the culprit, that is to say the person who had done this, was there before me, I think I’d be capable of the worst. [5]

Obviously, I stop and pick them all up. There were so many that this was just in the trunk of my Diana, my car. I was nervous, but I remind you that sick, I was even more sensitive, so my excitement was even greater. I went straight out to see the “men of the village” that I knew to be doing the wood. Among them, there was the [6] mayor. I did not know what I wanted exactly, but I wanted that we would do inspections, that we stop, that we punish, we burn [7] at the stake [8] the uncivil perpetrators [9], an unworthy act of a World citizen. I go [10] to where the men were and frankly, they had to take me for a crazy.

After greeting them, all the same, I invited them to come and see what was in my trunk: they found so, what else could they do, otherwise called green Brigades which I will discuss in few lines. This is when a man from the village was thinking that I believe I had mustard which is mounted on me, that’s when I fell, I actually completely exploded. He had just told me, I quote: “Ah, but I saw all these bags a few days ago already.” And I answer him: “What you saw and you have not picked them up?”. I rarely borrows this road since I rarely go to the village, but he, he passed it 4 times a day. And there he added: “Yeah, I do not pick up the shit of others.” Forgive this big word, but that’s what he said! And there I was shocked, stunned, that is to say that I was speechless. Finally, I was not long, because it is this phrase that took me out of my joints!

It is this sentence that made me react, some perhaps violently. “Ah yes, the car must shine, we need the house to be nice, but then what happens outside home, is nothing to do! But, if these bags I had not picked up the which would have done? in three years, there would be more than paper and plastic bags along the road. This is the nature that we want to leave our children …? Me this do not mind picking up the shit of others, what bothers me is this selfish behavior! “and I lift my Diane, and I left. It seems that ridicule does not kill, it’s true, you believe? Anyway I did not improve my brand!

So here we are, what are the green Brigades? These are the police of nature. They pick up the waste [11] sometimes give the minutes [12] if they find those who pollute [13] nature. They fight against pollution [14], deal with lost animals. When the spring there are many frogs [15], it is they who put small barriers along roads so that they do not form over by cars. They are the ones that act as [16] in the areas where there are too many mosquitoes. These are also officers from the road, but it is mainly the guardians of nature. Sometimes they also go into schools and teach children the basics, that is to say the basic rules of civil actions and respect for nature. This is an Alsatian exception, it exists only in Alsace, they replace those then called the rural guards.

Obviously 68 men for 283 towns throughout the department of Haut-Rhin, there’s not much, but they say that it is not bad. You may experience random dirt roads but also on the roads, they are biking, riding and of course by car because the area is great. They make me think of those Canadian police on their horses and this gives them a dignified air. After my “sketch” in the village, the ones who came and took over the waste. They investigated, that is to say they are looking into who owns the bags, and with a little luck, they will find those responsible [17] and make them want to start over.

It’s spring, and when it’s nice and warm, I love to take my shoes and walk barefoot. But perhaps you have already met in the city, on the train or wherever, people without shoes. These are barefooteurs, ie people who claim [18] the right to walk barefoot in nature, but also in town. For them, it’s a lifestyle, a way to communicate with nature. It’s strange, I can not imagine the head of my mother if she saw me walk barefoot she call me a bare-feet [19], ie vagabond. In the past, in harder times, only those who do not have money and walked. It was the poorest of the poor. Today everything has changed today was born the movement of barefooteurs. Far from being bare-feet, it is a movement rather fashionable among the Dutch, the Germans, but also among some French: this is not a form of rebellion [20] but an art live.

Proponents [21] have their site on the Internet: they assemble themselves for small events, they exchange information, will provide the addresses of restaurants where they can go barefoot and exchange their views to give advice to walk barefoot, because you think that it takes a certain technique. Walking in nature, avoid small stones, pieces of wood, also for training, there are special parks for barefooteurs. In the city of course, there are other dangers, avoid walking on glass and there are also hygiene problems.

But of course there are always podiatrists, foot doctors, who find the arguments that encourage the practice of barefooting. According to them, walking barefoot would learn to walk better and thus avoid back problems. But if walking barefoot is good for health, we are faced with a problem of law, of law issues [22]: can walk barefoot everywhere? A shop, a restaurant Can you deny entry if you are without shoes? Can we go barefoot at work? In France there is a law that says it is illegal to refuse to sell a consumer a product or providing a service, other legitimate reason. [23]

Being barefoot is this a legitimate reason? This is probably to avoid this type of problem than many traders reads “Dress [24] correct required”. In any case, as permitted by law or not, I can not imagine the contemptuous gaze of my constituents if I came to one of our village meetings barefoot, or the eye of the waitress chic café where I will drink my coffee if she saw me without shoes. The judgment of others is sometimes more dissuasive [25] the law. I, fortunately I really like shoes no longer wear and if I put my bare feet, only to feel the grass under my feet.

Well, I’ll let you discover the pleasure of taking off your shoes and taking a few steps in the street, just to see the reaction of your neighbors! But first, go and take a ride on http://www.podclud.ch and leave me a message. I find you unusually June 2 and you talk about Scoumoune, ie bad luck and topical. Until then, take care of your feet!

[1] disrespectful: without respect
[2] cold: when you have a runny nose and that we fly
[3] Customs: one that is at the border crossings and monitors
[4] packaging: paper, plastic in which is packaged, put what you buy
[5] the worst: the worst thing
[6] Mayor: the village chief
[7] burn: fire
[8] the stake: woodpile where they set fire
[9] uncivil: not civic, not worthy of a citizen, disrespectful
[10] get there: go
[11] the waste: trash, garbage, everything that is thrown
[12] the minutes: the (a) fine, I have to pay if we made a mistake
[13] pollute: dirty
[14] pollution: which degrades, night, dirty
[15] frog: small animals that make croac croac
[16] Action: do something
[17] the culprit: the manager, the one who made
[18] claim: claim, take
[19] the bare-feet, living in miserable vagabond
[20] rebellion: revolt
[21] follower: the person practicing an activity
[22] the law: the rule set by men
[23] legitimate: that is recognized and accepted by law
[24] holding: here set of clothes that you wear
[25] deterrent: that removes the urge to do

Hello, welcome to my podcast “The opinion of Mary.” Today May 7, I would like to explain first a few things about this podcast, then I will tell you my way of closing deals and then you will be the witnesses of the impact of spring on my life and especially on my frantic consumption [1] technologies.

We store texts a week before you can hear them. So we write a little early yet. Personally, it’s true that I always take me a little too late. I work in a hurry and always has been that way since college. I write fast enough, the inspiration comes easily enough, but I always wait for the final because no one never knows if a major event were to happen, we should talk. For example, when the volcano in the name unpronounceable erupted in Iceland and that 135 000 people worldwide have been blocked and that airlines were under threat of bankruptcy [2], my text was already registered. Of course, if this had happened when I was writing my text, I would have mentioned it. Of course I would have made some reflections on the power of nature and the weakness of man when it wakes up.

Of course I would have just laughed, gently forced holidays [3] certain. I would have had a thought for my boss who had left him in Majorca and did not get back on schedule. When this happens to my boss is fun, but of course, I would have had a thought compassionate [4] for those who had to pay the nights [5] further. Some, perhaps, did they have to do the dishes in the hotels to pay for a room. But now, I will not speak for the press already, it speaks more planes take off again, normal life resumed its course … It’s funny how human beings do not like remember that it does not control!

My car is currently down, I roll with Diane, you know that old car Citroën. Mine is 1973. I always like being on holiday when I drive this car. The only two problems are drafts and starting. When I stop somewhere, I’m sure I can never leave. As she is not very heavy, it is fairly easy to grow, but it’s still embarrassing enough to ask passers pushing. Then there are plenty of drafts [6] in the car. Like home in the morning it’s still cool enough, there is always fresh air circulating in the car. Besides, the last weekend I spent in bed because I had taken cold. Now it’s hot, it’s kind of nice, I can even open the roof; it is certainly the only convertible that I can pay me.

Before you can use it, I had to put new tires [7]. A friend who mounted them to me. I had to get it back [8] with one of his colleagues. This seller is bikes. He prepared a bike and had therefore already exposed exhibit few. I was looking for some time an ATV, ie a mountain bike, because mine had been stolen, and then if one day my Diane also broke down, I would stay at least a means of transport [9] ! I look at the price, bicycles, color. I try-one, I like it, we discuss the price, I am increasingly fascinated by this bike. When I got up that morning, I would have never imagined to buy an ATV that day. Yet that is what I did. It is said that “opportunity makes the thief” [10], to understand that the favorable opportunity, it takes action

In short, my new bicycle dealer boyfriend proposed to offer me the lights, a lock [11] and when he agreed to offer me a seat [12] more comfortable, I decided the buy. To conclude the deed, I shook his hand. [13] For me it is a pact and that the value of a bill of sale. The bike should first be prepared, I was going to pick him up a few days later and we were not going to renegotiate the price. I saw in his eyes, [14] he was surprised and moreover it confirmed it: “For a long time I had not concluded [15] a market as well,” me -t he said. It is a gesture that I saw my father do. At the time, it was well, a handshake [16] and the case was concluded. It was the time where loyalty, honesty, [17] the word that values ​​were respected. Today everything is complicated, everything is analyzed and classified, today signed the word is diffuse, noisy [18] and omnipresent [19, but it has lost its value. Sometimes I wonder if my Diana, is not a machine back in time [20]!

You remember in a week all my technological devices had abandoned me: the car, the cell phone, the computer. But here in another week I became a daughter of the century, ie today I really belong to this century and represents the modern girl who has the modern technologies. Indeed, in a week I heated my credit card: It’s an expression we use when we use it a lot. This is my banker will be happy, but hey, this frenzy, this bulimia [21] strong will hopefully not happen to me every month and between us I hope it will not be for very long.

So I started by buying a superb mountain biking. I kept going with my telephone operator and there have started new negotiations. They were harder to take. I was treated to beautiful goodwill gestures and that’s why I decided to offer me a Iphone. Yes, thanks to him, I jumped 50 years in technology. Indeed, until then I had a phone as old as Methuselah, understand it really was archaic and old, so old that I could not even make pictures. Imagine !! All I could do was call. Well the same time, we ask no more than a phone. So imagine an Iphone is the ultimate, it’s the Mercedes of telephony. Since, on the train, I dropped sudoku and devote myself [22] to my new applications. In short, I have fun. I, who have never really been a fan of technology, I must admit that I take great pleasure. I hope it will not be for very long.

Finally it was Wednesday. Thursday night, my computer starts to have problems, I am unable to connect me on the internet, the keyboard goes awry [23], the files will not open. I believe that this computer has last month decided to spoil me [24] life. Instead of throwing it out the window the next day, I will immediately into a large computer store, directly to the Macintosh section. What for ? Bought my first computer was a Mac in 1999, my second for that matter. I returned to my first love, I returned to the Mac after only two years of infidelity [25]!

I was discussing the price, hesitated still thinking about my banker when I was offered a discount and a gift: I was offered the Windows Office program. So I could not hesitate [26], 20 minutes later I emerged with my new Mac for less than 1000 euros! I know that spring is the time of renewal, but still I made very clear: In one week, I found myself a new bike, a new phone and a new computer! All I need more than a new man and I’m a fulfilled woman. But wait spring is not over!

I did not want to stop writing to you because since I strums on this stylish keyboard, very class, I am inspired, I have many ideas. But hey, outside, the sun is shining and I planted flowers. I’ll see you in two weeks and I will talk about green brigade, police and our green barefoot. Take the time to leave me your feedback on http://www.podclub.ch. While waiting to meet again, keep well!

[1] frenetic: enthusiastic, passionate
[2] bankruptcy: close the business because there is more money
[3] forced: here: holiday we are obliged to take
[4] compassionate: I share the pain of those who had to stay on vacation
[5] night: hotel at night
[6] The air stream: cool air passage
[7] the tire: the car’s wheels
[8] recover: back, back
[9] the locomotion means: a means of transport
[10] the thief, the thief
[11] the padlock: here: the object to attach the bike it is not flying
[12] the seat: the bicycle, where you sit
[13] shake hands: shake hands when you say hello, for example, we shake hands, we give a handshake
[14] look: the look verb
[15] concludes: settle, agree
[16] the handshake: when you shake hands
[17] honesty: openness, honesty, good faith
[18] noisy: it makes noise
[19] omnipresent: always present
[20] back in time: to go back, back in time
[21] bulimia: when not stop eating; here: when one does not spend his money edge
[22] focus: spend time doing something
[23] go awry: no longer in good standing,
[24] spoil: disturb, disturb, take the fun
[25] infidelity: when one is not faithful when one deceives
[26] hesitation choose not to know, one hesitates